UPSC Daily Current Affairs

INDIA’S AI IN MILITARY OPERATIONS

Aug 23, 2024

India is increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in its defense operations, especially along its borders with Pakistan and China. The Indian Army has deployed 140 AI-based surveillance systems, incorporating high-resolution cameras, sensors, UAV feeds, and radar, aimed at enhancing border security by detecting and classifying potential intrusions. EXPANSION OF AI APPLICATIONS • Counter-Terrorism Operations: AI is being used in real-time monitoring software for intelligence genera... Read More...

HOW AI CAN STRENGTHEN DIGITAL SECURITY

Aug 23, 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool in the fight against cyber threats. Here’s how AI can enhance digital security: REVERSING THE “DEFENDER’S DILEMMA” Read More...

Antarctica’s Deep-Winter Heatwaves: Causes and Effects

Aug 23, 2024

Q1: What is causing the deep-winter heatwave in Antarctica? A: The deep-winter heatwave in Antarctica is primarily caused by the weakening of the polar vortex, a system that usually keeps cold air trapped over the continent. This year, large-scale atmospheric disturbances have disrupted the vortex, allowing warmer air to enter the region, leading to significant temperature increases. Q2: How much have temperatures risen during this heatwave? A: Temperatures in parts of... Read More...

NEW TREATMENT FOR DRUG-RESISTANT TB IN INDIA

Aug 23, 2024

• What is MDR-TB and XDR-TB? • MDR-TB (Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis): A form of TB that does not respond to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, the two most potent TB drugs. • XDR-TB (Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis): A more severe form of MDR-TB that is also resistant to additional drugs such as fluoroquinolones and at least one of the second-line injectable drugs. • What is the BPaL Regimen? • The BPaL regimen consists of three drugs: bedaquiline, pretomanid, and linezolid. This combination has been intr... Read More...

BANKING LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024

Aug 23, 2024

Purpose of the Bill: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha to bring critical updates to banking regulations. Key Changes: 1. Increased Nominee Options: • The Bill proposes increasing the number of nominees allowed per bank account from one to four. 2. Redefinition of ‘Substantial Interest’: • It seeks to redefine ‘substantial interest’ for bank directorships, raising the financial thres... Read More...

Chinese Research Vessels in the Indian Ocean

Aug 23, 2024

Overview Three Chinese research vessels—Xiang Yang Hong 03, Zhong Shan Da Xue, and Ying Wang 7—have been identified operating in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). These ships are being closely monitored by the Indian Navy due to their potential role in collecting strategic hydrographic data, raising concerns over regional maritime security. Read More...

Competitive Federalism

Aug 23, 2024

Q1: What is competitive federalism? A: Competitive federalism is a model of governance where state governments compete with each other to attract investment, improve governance, and enhance economic development. This competition is meant to encourage states to innovate and perform better in various sectors, thereby benefiting their citizens. Q2: How does competitive federalism differ from cooperative federalism? A: In cooperative federalism, the central and state govern... Read More...

NASA ASTRONAUT SUNITA WILLIAMS

Aug 23, 2024

Q1: Who is Sunita Williams, and what was the purpose of her recent space mission? • Sunita Williams is a veteran NASA astronaut and a former U.S. Navy pilot known for her extensive spaceflight experience. She embarked on Boeing’s maiden human spaceflight aboard the Starliner on June 5, 2024. The mission’s original plan was to spend seven days in space, conducting various scientific experiments and tests on the International Space Station (ISS). Q2: Why has Sunita Wil... Read More...

August Kranti Day 2024: Remembering Quit India

Aug 23, 2024

Q1: What is August Kranti Day, and when is it observed? • August Kranti Day, also known as Quit India Movement Day, is observed annually on August 8th. It commemorates the launch of the Quit India Movement on August 8, 1942, led by Mahatma Gandhi, which was a pivotal moment in India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule. In 2024, this day falls on a Thursday. Q2: What was the Quit India Movement? • The Quit India Movement... Read More...

HYPERLOOP TECHNOLOGY IN INDIA: SIMPLIFIER

Aug 23, 2024

What is Hyperloop Technology? Hyperloop is an advanced transportation system that uses an electromagnetically levitated pod to travel through a low-pressure vacuum tube. This technology reduces friction and air resistance, enabling the pod to reach speeds exceeding 600 kmph. Where is the upcoming Hyperloop competition in India? The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, specifically at its Discovery Campus in Thaiyur, will host a global college-level Hyperloop com... Read More...

INDIA’S ADOPTION OF AI FOR DEFENCE

Aug 23, 2024

India has begun its journey in incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into its national defense strategy, with efforts that aim to boost the country’s competitive edge globally. The push for AI in defense is particularly crucial in the context of the growing strategic competition in the Indian Ocean region, primarily involving India, China, and Pakistan. Read More...

Growth vs. Inflation: Balancing India's Economic Sustainability and Equity

Aug 23, 2024

1. Growth-Inflation Trade-Off: • Inflation Impact on Growth: The relationship between inflation and growth is often characterized by the growth-inflation trade-off. High inflation erodes purchasing power, undermines consumer confidence, and increases the cost of borrowing. This can stifle demand and investment, ultimately slowing down economic growth. • RBI’s Approach: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has prioritized controlling inflation to sustain long-term growth. By keeping interest rates steady, the RBI aims to prevent ... Read More...

Nankai Trough

Aug 23, 2024

The Nankai Trough is a significant geological feature located off the southern coast of Japan, where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Eurasian Plate. This subduction zone extends roughly 700 km (435 miles) along the Japanese coastline and is a well-known source of major earthquakes and tsunamis, posing a substantial threat to the region. Here are key aspects of the Nankai Trough: Read More...

JAPAN’S MEGAQUAKE ADVISORY:SIMPLIFIER

Aug 23, 2024

JAPAN’S MEGAQUAKE ADVISORY:SIMPLIFIER

Aug 23, 2024

1. What triggered Japan’s first-ever “megaquake advisory”? • The advisory was issued after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off Japan’s southern coast, increasing concerns about the potential for a larger earthquake in the Nankai Trough region. 2. What is the Ring of Fire? • The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped area in the Pacific Ocean where multiple tectonic plates meet. This region is characterized by frequent eart... Read More...